Rug tool having a turbine-driven rug brush



Sept. 22, 1959 w KSKOLFlELD 2,904,816

RUG TOOL HAVING A TURBINE-DRIVEN RUG BRUSH Filed Feb. 24, 1956 RUG TOOLHAVING A TURBINEDRIVEN RUG BRUSH William King Sirolfield, Bridgeport,Conn, assignor to general Electric Company, a corporation of New orkApplication February 24, 1956, Serial No. 567,685

9 Claims. (Cl. 15-375) This invention relates to cleaning toolsgenerally, and to air-operated cleaning tools particularly. My inventionis well suited for use in a vacuum cleaner cleaning tool and, therefore,for the purpose of simplifying an explanation of it, will be disclosedin such a device.

Contemporary vacuum cleaners fall into two general types: first, thosewhich clean partially by suction and include a motor-driven rug brush(this feature is normally found in so-called upright cleaners) andsecond, those which clean primarily by suction and do not include amotor-driven brush (commonly referred to as canister cleaners, andnormally either of the horizontal or vertical variety). The vacuumcleaner cleaning tools to which the invention relates are primarilythose which are used to clean rugs and floors. It is generally agreedthat the best cleaning job on rugs is performed by cleaners having apower-driven rug brush which may or may not have other elements such asheaters associated with it. The strong features of the canister-typecleaners are that they are adapted for convenient above the floorcleaning, i.e., wall, furniture, drapery and ceiling cleaning. It isbelieved by many skilled in this art that a canister cleaner is superiorto the upright cleaner, all other things being equal, in all respectsother than its ability to clean rugs. Therefore, it is highly desirablethat a cleaning tool attachment be devised that may be used with thecanister-type cleaner and which is capable of closely approaching, ifnot duplicating, the excellent rug cleaning capabilities of themotor-driven rug brush of the upright-type cleaner. It'is believedobvious that the reason motor-driven brushes are not provided incanister cleaner rug tools is because of the difiiculty of furnishingpower to the rug tool. In order to meet this problem, it has beensuggested that the moving fluid (air) which passes through the canistercleaner rug tool when the cleaner is operated be utilized to drive afluid-operated motor, which in turn drives a rug brush. in thisapplication the term turbine-driven rug tool is used to signify thistype of device.

One type of turbine-driven rug tool with which the inventor is familiaroperates on a split air flow principle. In this arrangement, there isprovided a rug tool body having a nozzle which is adapted to beassociated with a rug, a rug brush mounted for rotation in the nozzleand contact with the rug, a turbine chamber which houses a turbine andcommunicates with the atmosphere through inlet openings, the turbinebeing connected to the rug brush in mechanical driving relationship, andan outlet passageway which communicates with the suction unit of thevacuum cleaner when the rug tool is connected to the canister cleanerwand. With this type of rug tool, when a flow of air is induced throughthe tool by energizing the suction unit, some air enters the nozzlethrough the opening in the nozzle, and some air enters the turbinechamber through the inlet openings. The air entering the nozzle openingis dust-laden and is carried off through the outlet passageway to thesuction unit. The air entering the turbine chamber contacts the vanes onthe turbine and rotates it, and thereby drives the rug brush.

United States Patent Patented Sept. 22, 1959 It has been observed thatthis type of prior art rug tool suffers from a basic defect. Because theflow of air through the nozzle and the flow of air through the turbinechamber is constant, i.e., non-adjustable relative to each other, it isdifiicult to obtain reasonably good cleaning on various types of rugs.For example, on a deeply cut figured rug the nozzle may not seal Welland, therefore, the larger portion of the air drawn into the tool entersthrough the nozzle opening. This results in a diminution of the amountof air passing through the turbine chamber, and results in weak or norotation of the turbine and rug brush. Therefore, the cleaning action ofthe rug brush is insuflicient to whisk olf surface lint, thread, hairs,etc., although a moderately good job of sucking the dirt out of the rugis done. On the other hand, if the prior art rug tool is used on afinely woven smooth rug, the nozzle seals tightly to the rug, resultingin the dirt being drawn out of the rug very well and the turbine beingoperated properly and, therefore, the rug brush whisking the dirt offthe rug adequately. However, the tight seal between the nozzle and therug makes it difficult to push or pull the rug tool over the rug.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved air-operatedcleaning tool which is particularly adapted for use for canister-typevacuum cleaners, which operates on the split air fiow principle andwherein the above mentioned basic defect in this type of device isobviated.

The object of this invention is achieved in one form by providing in asplit air flow, turbine-driven, cleaning tool, means for regulating therelative flow of air through the nozzle and the turbine chamber, andpreferably to achieve such regulation by controlling the flow of airthrough the nozzle. In this form, such control enables the user todecrease or increase at will the amount of air entering the nozzle,thereby automatically altering the amount of air entering the turbinechamber, and causing the turbine to rotate with more or less power, forthe purpose of adapting the rug tool to the type of rug on which it isused and the type of dirt or lint to be picked up.

Other objects and further details of that which I believe to be noveland my invention will be clear from the foregoing description and claimstaken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a sectional view taken substantially on a central longitudinalline which passes through the improved cleaning tool;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. l, but showingsome of the parts in different positions;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,the control knob being shown fully in section;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the improved cleaning tool attached to aportion of a canister cleaner wand;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. l,and

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the improved cleaning tool.

Referring to the drawings, the improved cleaning tool, which will hereinbe referred to as a rug tool, is designated generally by the referencenumeral 10. Rug tool 10 comprises a body having a nozzle portion 12, theturbine portion 14, the outlet portion 16. As is illustrated in Fig. 4,the outlet portion 16 is tubular and adapted to be coupled in anyconventional manner to the rigid wand 18, which in turn communicatesthrough appropriate conventional conduit mechanism with the suctionunit, that is, an air flow producing source. The latter may be any oneof the large number of available suction units and be stationary,built-in or portable. The improved rug tool is particularly useful whenassociated with a canister type vacuum cleaner, because it renders thelatter substantially equal in rug cleaning ability to vacuum cleaners,such as the upright type, which have motor-driven rug brushes, hence,the wand 18 may communicate-with a canister-type cleaner. However, itshould be clearly understood that the improved rug tool is notrestricted in utility to use with canister-type cleaners.

As canbest be seen in Figs. 1, 4 and-5, the rugtool bodyhas appropriatewalls for-med therein which' compartmentits interior in the-desiredmanner. Thearug tool body walls comprise essentially three generallyhorizontal walls, an upper, intermediate and lower wall,= andappropriate side walls which render the bodya unitary structure. Upperhorizontal wall-2il is generally circular and merges at its peripheryinto a depending, slotted side wall 22 which is generally cylindrical.At its'forward side (the side opposite to the outlet portion-l6),thewall 22 mergesinto a generally horizontal wall 24-whichforms theupper surface of the nozzle portion 12 and extends into the body, Withinthe body, wall 24-supports in any conventional manner a dividing wall-26- which is illustrated'as a separate member, and which is spaced belowthe wall 2% and extends rearwardly partially into the outlet portion'16. The walls 24 and 26, together comprise the intermediate wall.

A portion 28 of the depending wall 22 at the latters rear extendsdownwardly beyond the walls 24 and 26' and merges at its lowermostpoints with the generally horizontal lower wall 30 which is illustratedas being a separate piece. The central portion of ;the rearward side ofportion 28 merges into the outlet portion 16. The lower wall 39 extendsbeneath the walls 24 and 26- and has an elongated opening 32 formed nearits forward end. A generally vertical side wall 34'extends from theportion 28 of depending wall 22 completely aroundthe nozzle portion 12and is secured to the wall 24 at its upper edge and to the Wall 30 atits lower edge. An inspection of Figs. 1 and 5, it is believed, willclearly indicate the wall formation and the manner in which the rug toolbody is compartmented to provide the following: a nozzle chamber 36,which is located generally between the walls 24, 26, 30 and 34; aturbine charnber 38, which is located between the walls 2b, 22,, 24and26; and an outlet chamber 40, which is formed in the outletv portion 16.The terminal portion 66 of wall 26 extends into the outlet portion 16and divides the latter into two passageways. The upper passageway 42communicates through the opening 43 with the turbine chamber 38 andthereby places the latter into communication with the outlet chamber 40.The lower passageway 44 communicates through the opening 46 with thenozzle chamber 36 and thereby places the latter into communication withthe outlet chamber 40. A plurality of slots 48 are formed in thedepending wall 22 and thereby place the turbine chamber 38 intocommunication with the atmosphere.

Turbine St) is mounted for rotation in the turbine chamber 38 by beingrigidly secured to the turbine hub 52, which in turn is mounted forrotation on the bearing pin 54 that is rigidly connected to the wall 21?anddepends therefrom. Hub 52 has a V-shaped groove 56 formed therein tosimulate a pulley surface, and is supported onthe bearing plate 58,which is rigidly secured to the free end of the pin 54. Hub 52 ispartially disposed. in opening 60., formed in wall 26, but is not inbearing contact with the wall.

The foregoing arrangement provides a rotatable mounting for the turbineand its hub wherein most of the load is taken by the bearing plate 58.This particular mounting is merely exemplary of a rotary mounting forthe turbine and is not a critical aspect of my invention, for other,mountings can readily be devised which would be the equivalent of theone illustrated. It is important, however, that the turbine and its hubbe mounted for rotary movement relative to the supporting portions .ofthe rug tool body, andthe illustrated arrangement accomplishes thisobjective.

Mountediu the forward end of the nozzle chamber 36 q r r injuxtaposition to the nozzle opening 32 is the conventional rug brush 62,which has bristle tufting which ex.- tends through the nozzle openingfor the purpose of contacting a surface to be cleaned and to whisk dirtthrough the nozzle opening into the nozzle chamber. The details of therug brush construction form no specific part of my invention and,therefore, will not be described in detail, however, the rug brush doeshave a -'V shaped groove 63 formed in it which simulates a pulleysurface. The endless belt 64 is mounted in the V-shaped grooves 56 and63, and thereby places the rug brush and turbine into mechanical drivingrelationship. By the latter it is meant that if either the turbine orthe rug brush is rotated, the other will be rotated-through-the drivingconnection effected by the endless belt 64.

When a source of suction is attached to the outlet portion 16, a flow ofair is induced through both the turbine portion and the nozzle portionof the rug tool in the manner illustrated by the schematic arrows inFig. 1. When the parts are disposed-as il-lustratedin; Fig. l, the airflow through the turbine portion is as--follows: clean air-from theatmosphere flows through the slots 48 into the turbine chamber 38,where-it-con-tactsthe vanes 51 of the turbine 5i and rotates thelatter'and its hub 52, out of the turbine chamber through the open-h ing43 into and through upper passageway 42 --to the outlet chamber 49, andthen to the sourceof-suction. Inthe nozzle portion of the rug tool asimultaneousflowofl air is induced as follows: dust-laden air passesthrough the nozzle opening 32 into the nozzle chamber 36, throughtheopening 46 into the lower passageway 44, into the outlet chamber 44? andthen to the source of suction.

The split air flow described is accompanied by rotation j of the turbinewhich in turn rotates'the rug brush'62 through the medium of the endlessbelt64. This mode of operation is extremely desirable because itprovides a power-driven rug brush in an air operated cleaning tool, andlends itself to convenient use with a canister type cleaner. However, aswas mentioned in the introduction; to the specification, a basic defectexists in cleaning tools; of this type. This defect, applicant found,was due tothe absence in prior art rug tools of this type of anymeansfor controlling the flow of air through either theturbine chamber ornozzle chamber to permit the operator to regulate the relative air flowthrough said-chambersto suit the operators needs as dictated -by thetypeof rug on which the rug tool is used and the type of dirt to bepicked up. As was pointed out in the introduction of'thisspecification,when prior art, turbine-driven, rug tools were used on certain types ofrugs, the nozzle did not sealwell and a large part of the air drawn intothe rug toolentered through the nozzle opening, and this resulted inpoor turbine operation and consequently poor rug brushoperation; andwhen used on other types of rugs, the prior art, turbine-driven rugtools sealed tightly to the rug and had good general performance, butsuffered from thenecessity of requiring a great deal of effort in orderto push or pull the rug tool over the rug. Y

In the first situation, applicant found that decreasing the amount ofair flowing into the nozzle opening resulted in more air entering theturbine chamber and, hence, improved the turbines operation. In thesecond situation, applicant found that decreasing the amount of airflowing; into the nozzle opening lessens the seal and permits easiermovement of the rug tool on the rug. Therefore, it will be seen thatapplicant has discovered that controlling the amount of air enteringthrough the nozzle opening effects and regulates the relative amountsof'air entering into both the nozzle chamber and turbine chember, andaffords the operator an adjustable control for, adapting the air fiowcharacteristics of the rug tool:to the; type of rug which is beingcleaned and the type of dirt tobe cleaned. It will be understood thatthere are various; types of rugs and conditions that may be met when;operating a vacuum cleaner, and that in many cases a adjustment of theair flow is needed, whereas in others suchadjustment assists a personusing the cleaner to do a better cleaning operation. i w H The improvedrug tool includes the referred-to means for controlling the amount ofair entering through the nozzle opening. While numerous equivalentarrangem'ents could be effected, the illustrated valve platearrangementis a simple and efiective manner of controlling this flow of air. Byreference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be observed that the terminalportion 66 of the Wall 26 supports a valve plate '68 which extends intothe lower passageway 44. The outline of valve plate 68 conforms to thecross-section of passageway 44, which is substantially semicircular, andis pivotally mounted at its straight edge to the wall portion 66 so asto be movable between a position wherein it lies closely adjacent tosaid portion and thereby does not constrict the passageway 44 at all,and another position wherein it is disposed at approximately 90 degreesfrom said portion and, therefore, substantially closes the passageway44. There are numerous positions between these two extreme positionswhich the valve plate may assume to constrict the passageway 44 todifferent extents. In Fig. 2, two representative positions of the flapvalve are illustrated, one being shown in dotted lines.

The manner of pivoting the valve plate to the terminal portion 66 is notcritical. As illustrated, the hinge pin 70 is rigidly connected to thestraight edge of the valve plate 68 and passes through a transverseopening 69 formed in the terminal portion 66 by displaced portions ofthe latter, and openings 71 in the sides of the tubular outlet portion16 (see Fig. 3).v The ends of hinge pin 70 are mounted for rotarybearing motion in openings 71, and one end 72 of the hinge pin extendsto the exterior of the tubular outlet portion and is rigidly connectedto the knob 74 at its free end on one side of the tubular outletportion. Rotation of the knob 74 rotates the hinge pin 70 in thetransverse opening 69, and pivots the valve plate 68.

In order to maintain, the valve plate in adjusted position, a pluralityof balls 76 are mounted in sockets 77 in the knob 74, and arefrictionally pressed into engagement with one side of the tubular outletportion 16. by appropriate resilient means 79 to. thereby maintain the;knob in any position to which it is adjusted. The, braking effect of thespring pressed balls 76 is supplemented by the generally tight fit ofthe hinge, pin 70 in the displaced portions of the terminal portion. 66in which it, is supported, to retain the hinge pin and, hence, the valveplate in any position to which it has been adjusted, The knob 74 mayhave a pointer 78, and appropriate indicia (not shown) may be formed onthe rug tool for indicating the various positionsof adjustment of thevalve plate.

It will be apparent that the valve plate enables an operator of thefrugtool to control the amount of air which enters through the nozzleopening 32 and consequently the amount; of air that enters through theslots 48. Starting with a condition in which the valve plate liescontiguous to the terminal portion 66 and, therefore, wherein thepassageway 44' is not constricted at all, it will be observed that acertain amount of air will enter through the slots 48 and a certainamount will enter through the nozzle opening 32. If the type of rug onwhich the rug tool is operated seals too tightly to the rug tool or ifit does not seal enough and too much air is entering into the nozzleopening, either condition may be alleviated by adjusting the valve plate68 in such a manner that it constricts the passageway 44. This reducesthe amount of air which may pass through the passageway 44 andconsequently the amount of air that may enter through the nozzle opening32. This has the consequential effect of increasing the amount of airthat enters through the slots 48. Therefore, if the rug tool has beensealing too tightly, the reduction in the amount of air entering throughthe nozzle opening will lessen the those skilled in the art.

through the nozzle chamber and the turbine chamben' Whereas theprovision of the valve plate 68 constitutes a significant improvement inturbine-driven rug tools, under one condition a situation may arisewhich creates a subsidiary problem. In some cases it may be necessary toso severely restrict the flow of air through the nozzle opening in orderto provide easy pushing of the rug tool that the effective amount ofopening in passageway 44 is so small that it will not readily allowcoarse dirt to pass through to the outlet chamber and ultimately to thesource of suction.

To eliminate this problem, a bleeder valve is provided, which isillustrated as being mounted in the lower wall 30, but which may bemounted at some other location, such as in the side wall 34, if it isdesired. The bleeder valve comp-rises the opening 80 which is formed inthe bottom wall 30, and the valve disk 82 which is larger than theopening 80 and overlies the latter. The valve disk 82 is pivotallyconnected by a conventional hinge construction 84 to the inner side ofthe bottom wall 30 and is movable to either cover or uncover opening 80.Valve disk 82 is normally pressed against the inner surface of thebottom wall to cover the opening 80 by the leaf spring 86 which isrigidly secured at one of its ends to the inner side of the bottom 30 bythe securing means 88.

In Fig. 1 the bleeder valve is illustrated as closed, i.e., the opening80 is covered by valve disk 82. In Fig. 2 the bleeder valve isillustrated as being open. It will be observed that when the bleedervalve is open, air enters directly through the opening 80 into thepassageway 44, thereby bypassing the nozzle opening 32. This becomesuseful, as was mentioned, when it is necessary to severely restrict theamount of air entering through the nozzle opening 32 in order to reducethe seal created between the rug and the nozzle, and when it is desirednot to unduly constrict the passageway 44. The latter undesirablecondition is avoided by allowing the bleeder valve to open when thevacuum in the nozzle chamber reaches a predetermined level. Bypermitting additional air to flow directly into the passageway 44 and tobypass the nozzle opening, the vacuum at the nozzle which is causing thetight seal may be reduced, and yet the passage-' way 44 does not have tobe unduly restricted.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that it will be apparent thatthe improved rug tool satisfies the object of this invention in that itprovides in -a split air flow, turbine-driven rug tool, means whichpermits an operator to regulate the relative amounts of air flowing intothe turbine portion and the nozzle portion of the rug tool, and therebyadapt the rug tool to whatever cleaning conditions obtain, i.e., type ofrug and dirt being cleaned.

As will be evident, certain aspects of my invention are not limited tothe particular details of the construction of the example illustrated,and I contemplate that various and other modifications and applicationswill occur to It is, therefore, my intention that the appended claimswill cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from thetrue spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. In an air operated rug tool attachment for cooperation with the airconducting wand of a canister type vacuum cleaner comprising a bodyhaving a turbine chamber disposed near the top of said body whichcommunicates with the atmosphere and has a turbine rotatably mountedtherein, a nozzle chamber disposed near the bottom of said body whichcommunicates with the atmosphere and has a rug brush rotatably. mountedtherein, and an outlet chamber which communicates with the. turbinechamber, nozzle chamber and a source of suction, said outlet chambercommunicating with said relative amounts of air that flow through saidnozzle chamber and said turbine chamber, said regulating meanscomprising air flow restricting means which is located wholly withinsaid body, and a manually operable means which is accessible from theexterior of said body for operating said air flow restrictingmeans, saidair fiow restricting means being adjustable by said manuallyoperablemeans to any one of a plurality of diflerent positions tothereby provide va plurality of different set tings wherein the air flowis restricted to diiferent extents.

2: In an air operated rug tool attachment for cooper a. tion with theair conducting wand of a canister type vacuum cleaner comprising a bodyhaving a turbine chamber whichcommunicates with the atmosphere andhas a.

turbine rotatably mounted therein, a nozzle chamber which communicateswith the atmosphere and has a rug brush rotatably mounted therein, andan outlet chamber which communicates with the turbine chamber, nozzlechamber and a source of suction, said outlet chamber communicating withsaid source of suction through said. air conducting wand, said turbineadapted to rotate said.

rug brush when it is rotated, whereby on actuation of saidsource, a flowof dust-laden air is induced through said nozzle and said outletchamber, and the flow of clean air is induced through said turbinechamber, where it contacts said turbine and rotatesit, and said outletchamber, that improvement comprising means for regn lating the relativeamounts of air that flow throughsaid nozzle chamber and said turbinechamber, said regulat ing means comprising air flow restricting means.which. is located wholly'within said body in the path of the air thatflows through said nozzlecharnber, and a manually operable means whichis accessible from the exterior ofsaid body for operatingsaid air flowrestricting means, saidair flow restricting means being adjustable bysaid manually operable means to any one of a plurality of diilerentpositions tothereby provide a plurality of different settings whereinthe air flow is restrictedtodifl ferent extents.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said body includes a nozzleopening and air enters said nozzle chamber through said nozzle opening,and additional means is provided for allowingairto; enter said nozzlechamber under certain predetermined conditions without passingthroughsaid nozzle opening.

4, An air operated rug tool comprising a body having 8.: a turbinechamber, a. nozzle chamber and an outlet chamber, openings in said bodyplacing said turbine chamber into communication withthe atmosphere, a,turbine rotatably mounted in said turbine chambfi f, a nozzle openingplacing ysaid nozzle chamber into com;

" munication withthe atmosphere, a rug brush rotatably uncovers, saidbypass opening when thevacuum within mounted in said nozzle chamberadjacent said nozzle opening, said. turbine and said rugbrush being inmechani; caL driving relationship, a passageway. connecting said, nozzlechamber and said outlet chamber, and valvemeans, in said passageway forselectivelydirectly controllingthe flow of air through said passagewaytothereby control the amount of air that enters through said nozzleopening, said valve, means being selectively positionable be-d tween afully opened positionand a fully closed posi;

r n a t p r l y of f rent in er ediate positions wherein a difierentamount of air is allowed to flow through said passageway.

5. A device asdefined in claim 4 wherein said valve means comprises apivotal valve plate.

'6. A device as definedin claim 5 wherein said valve plate is controlledby means which is 'aQQessiblefromthe exteri r f theme.to .-v

7. An air operatedrug tool. comprising a body hav-, ing walls whichdefine a turbine chamber, a nozzle, chamber and a tubular outletchamber, openings in said walls for placing said turbine chamberintocommunication, withthe atmosphere, a turbine rotatably mounted in said.turbinechamber, a nozzle. opening placing said nozzlechamber intocommunication with the atmosphere, a rug b rush rotatably mounted. insaid nozzle chamber adjacent said nozzle opening, said turbine and saidrug brush being in mechanical driving relationship, one of saidwallsseparatingsaid turbine and nozzle chambersand extending into saidtubular chamber, a plate in said, tubular chamber hinged to said one ofsaid walls on the nozzlepchamber side thereof, said plate beingselectively. movable to a plurality of positions to vary' the,v amountof clearance between itself and the .portionsoithetubularchamber formingwalls nsaidside, whereby on theupstream sideof said plateforadmittingair into said nozzle chamber under certainpredetcrrnined con r.

ditions without passing through said nozzle. opening,.

9. Agdeviceasdefined in claim 8 wherein said means comprises a bypassopening and a spring pressedclosure which, normally covers said bypassopening, but.which the nozzlechamber reaches a predetermined point.

References Citedin the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS

